Tea, during the build up to the American Revolution, was a symbol of British economic, political and cultural oppression to many patriots. The Townsend Acts of 1767, which taxed tea and sugar, among other things, in the North American colonies caused much uproar and anger; when the acts, which were ineffective because of boycotts, were removed in 1770, tea remained the only good that was taxed under the laws. Although some attempted to continue boycotting British tea, most people’s zeal was diminished; colonists usually still considered themselves British citizens, if maltreated ones, and tea was a staple of civilized, Old World European life. In short, colonists cherished their tea too much to restrain from drinking it after their initial outrage was addressed.
However, in 1773, British Parliament passed a new bill, the Tea Act, which relieved the East India Company, struggling to turn a profit on the tea trade, from having to pay duties; instead, consumers would be responsible for the taxes in place under the Townsend Acts. This sparked a new wave of resistance. While some, calling themselves the “true sons of liberty,” approve of tea, many others gathered in anger when they heard that East India Company ships laden with tea, newly free from taxes, will be docking in Boston Harbor. Specifically, the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver sailed into the port in November and December of 1773. On December 16th, 1773, protesters dumped 342 chests of tea into the sea, an event known as the Boston Tea Party. In the following months, “Indians,” really disguised Patriots, continue to throw tea overboard into March and April of 1774. As the culprits were never caught, Parliament decided to punish the entire city of Boston by closing the harbor until the East India Company is reimbursed. The events in Boston demonstrate growing tension and renewed patriotic fervor, which ultimately leads to the outbreak of the revolution itself.
However, in 1773, British Parliament passed a new bill, the Tea Act, which relieved the East India Company, struggling to turn a profit on the tea trade, from having to pay duties; instead, consumers would be responsible for the taxes in place under the Townsend Acts. This sparked a new wave of resistance. While some, calling themselves the “true sons of liberty,” approve of tea, many others gathered in anger when they heard that East India Company ships laden with tea, newly free from taxes, will be docking in Boston Harbor. Specifically, the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver sailed into the port in November and December of 1773. On December 16th, 1773, protesters dumped 342 chests of tea into the sea, an event known as the Boston Tea Party. In the following months, “Indians,” really disguised Patriots, continue to throw tea overboard into March and April of 1774. As the culprits were never caught, Parliament decided to punish the entire city of Boston by closing the harbor until the East India Company is reimbursed. The events in Boston demonstrate growing tension and renewed patriotic fervor, which ultimately leads to the outbreak of the revolution itself.